A passion for hands-on learning and hard work has earned Northwest Technical College electrical student Markus Midgarden the Minnesota Builders Exchange and Mike Rowe Work Ethic scholarships.

Midgarden has always been curious about how things work. He grew up asking questions, taking things apart and trying to improve them. When it came time to choose a college, he kept hearing from people he trusted about the strength of NTC’s electrical program.

“NTC’s program had a strong reputation for quality training and great instructors,” he said. “My friends and instructors in high school spoke very highly about it, and even peers who had been out in the world longer than me said they would choose NTC if they had the chance again. That really stuck with me.”

Choosing the skilled trades matched the way he sees the world. Midgarden said he likes work he can see and touch, and takes pride in doing it well.

“It feels good when I can drive by something I was working on and say to myself, family or friends, ‘I helped build that,'” he said. “To me, that is always a rewarding feeling.”

His work ethic comes from home. He credits his mother, father and grandfather for showing him what it means to stay dependable and push through challenges.

“Their examples taught me the value of showing up, putting in the effort and taking pride in what I do,” he said. “They’re why I hold myself to such a high standard.”

Midgarden learned he earned both scholarships while at work. He skimmed each email quickly and got back to work. The impact didn’t set in until later.

“When I got home, I was like ‘holy crap I’m a recipient,'” he said.

Receiving the Work Ethic Scholarship felt especially meaningful because of the rigorous process. Applicants must be enrolled in an approved program, answer numerous questions, create a video and secure two references from a teacher or supervisor to be considered. Fewer than 600 skilled-trade students nationwide earned the scholarship in 2025.

“I felt like I was one of the few chosen kids in the whole nation,” he said. “It was a feeling I hadn’t gotten with other achievements I have made.”

He was proud to receive the MBEX Scholarship, too, especially because a high school instructor encouraged him to apply.

“I almost didn’t apply for it,” he said. “So I felt proud of myself, but also lucky.”

Midgarden said the awards give him space to focus fully on his program.

“This support allows me to focus on my education without the stress of financial barriers,” he said. “It reinforces that I’m on the right path and motivates me to keep pushing myself.”

He believes scholarship committees recognized his reliability and consistency.

“I have always taken pride in doing things right,” he said. “Show up, put in the effort and follow directions with care. My family taught me that if you say you’re going to do something for someone, you do it.”

The program challenges him too, especially the level of detail and how quickly skills build on each other. He said he works through it by asking questions, practicing in the lab and reviewing notes. Flashcards help him memorize. He is proud of the accuracy he has gained in wiring and measurements and said his problem-solving skills and confidence with tools have grown.

Hands-on learning is his favorite part of the program.

“Working with tools, wiring circuits and troubleshooting problems helps everything fall in place in a way that textbooks can’t,” he said. “I like seeing how things function in the real world.”

After graduation, he hopes to join the local electrical union’s apprentice program or work with a local employer so he can stay in the community he grew up in. He is exploring his options but is drawn to commercial and industrial work.

“There are many areas I haven’t had a chance to try yet,” he said. “That’s what I like about this trade. There’s always something new to learn.”

Midgarden said NTC faculty have supported him throughout the program, from helping him understand transfer credits to guiding him through challenging lab work. He said instructors like Gwen Oster give direction without doing the work for him, which helps him develop independence.

“Markus stands out as a student,” Oster said. “He’s dependable, skilled and keeps the lab running smoothly. His initiative and quiet leadership make a big impact.”

For students considering the electrical program, he said the key is consistency.

“Everything that is taught is compounded on,” he said. “Show up every day and put in as much effort as you can. You only get out of it what you put into it.”

To Midgarden, work ethic is the foundation for lasting success.

“It has a direct correlation with the work you produce and the legacy you build over time,” he said. “Being responsible and open to improvement every day is how you build a career you can be proud of.”